Abdominal supporter



s. A. RICHARDSON. Abdominal Supporter.

No. 241,8 3. Patented May 24,1ssw.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SUSAN A. RICHARDSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS;

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,883, dated May 24,1881.

Application filed July 16, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SUsAN A. RICHARDSON, of Springfield, in the countyof Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Abdominal Supportersor Swathes; and I do herebydeclare that the following is afnl-l, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same, reference bein g had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to make a supporter, without springs orpadding, for the abdomen, which may be easily adjusted to all forms, andwill remain in place, without being uncomfortable or chafing, under anycircumstances, and no part of which will bear against or be in contactwith the urinal organ; also, as an article which maybe worn and washed,and which may be used with benefit in cases of tiiouble or weakness inthe back, hips, or howe s.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of referenceindicate like parts, Figure 1 is a front view of my supporter as itappears on the wearer. Fig. 2 is a back view of the same. Fig. 3 is aside view, and Fig. 4 is a view of the supporter extended.

In the manufacture of my improved supporter from suitable textilematerial I make the body or principal part of the supporter in threepieces-to wit, the front piece, a, and side pieces, f, with bands 0. Thecenter or front piece, a, is made of the shape shown in Fig. 4, and ismade bagging or full, the bias cuts extending upward and slanting, oneto the right and the other to the left, to form the curved portion 9 toextend over the pubes, and at the same time shaping it to fit theabdomen.

The side piece, f, and band 0, I make in one piece and of the shapeshown. These side pieces, f, with their diagonal tapering bands 0, arejoined to the center piece at each end, at the seam represented by thedotted line, just below the V-shaped take-up marked 8.

The front piece, 0, is provided on opposite sides of the curved portiong with the eyelets j j, for fastening the ends of the bands 0 in placeafter passing them around the thigh. More than one set of these eyeletsare made for the purpose of adjustment to varying sizes.

A corresponding set of eyelets is placed in the ends of the bands 0.

At the outer edge of the pieces f are a series of eyelets, through whicha tape or cord passes to fasten the supporter to the person and aroundthe waist, as shown in Fig. 2. Just back of these eyelets I insert asmall whalebone, b, to prevent the edges curling, though this may bedispensed with on most persons, as it is found to be unnecessary on mostforms; but whenever the bones are inserted the spaces into which theypass should be left open at one end, for the purpose of removing themwhen the supporter is being washed.

To prevent chafing at the sides, I place the lapels *1 just beneath thecords on the side take-up, s, fastening them to either side of thetake-up. If it is desired to use the device for a truss, two or moreeyelets are placed in the supporter at the point of rupture. A pad withlacings attached is placedbeneath the supporter, against the rupture.The tapes, passing through the eyelets and fastening, hold the pad inplace, as seen in Fi 1.

Articles of wearing-apparel may be attached to the supporter, and thusthe weight will be more easily borne. In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2show one leg, 0, of a pair of drawers attached to the supporter, theother being removed to more plainly show the device. The legs may bepermanently attached, or may be made so as to be removed, to suit theconvenience of the wearer.

.It will be seen by reference to the drawings that this supporter may beeasily adjusted to 'fit any form, the laciugs in the back drawing thesupporter tightly around the body. The lacings at each side take up theslack over the hips, and the bands, passing around the limb andfastening in front, draw the supporter snugly down and draw it tightlyover the abdomen, thus preventing its moving in either direction, andany one point may be adjusted without in any way afiecting the fittingof any In testimony that I claim the foregoing as other part. my own Ihave affixed my signature in pres- Having, therefore, described myinvention, ence of two witnesses.

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by 5 Letters Patent, is-- MRS.SUSAN A. RICHARDSON;

As an improved article of manufacture, the abdominal supporterconsisting of the center Witnesses: piece 0, with the curved portion g,the side ALLEN WEBSTER, pieces, f, integral with the diagonal bands 0,L. H. BINGHAM.

i0 and the lacings, substantially as described.

